Curricula in Compton to Stay in State’s Hands

State Supt. of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin on Tuesday declined to return authority over academics to Compton’s local school board, an unexpected decision signaling that Sacramento’s rule over the city’s schools is far from over.

Eastin’s decision, announced in a letter read to the board Tuesday, contradicts the recommendation of a state team of crisis managers that monitors the state-run Compton district on her behalf.

In a February report, that team, citing improvements in curricula and instruction, called for a return of local control over student achievement. Eastin, who has followed the crisis managers’ recommendations before, had been widely expected to agree.

The state took over the district in 1993. Although other districts have been taken over for financial reasons, Compton is the only one ever to be taken over for both academic and financial irregularities.

Two state officials said Tuesday that the crisis team was not consulted, nor did it have advance warning of the decision.

After the decision, Tom Henry, director of the crisis team, met with Eastin for two hours, saying afterward that there was “a healthy exchange of views.”

“I’m not going to second-guess her,” he said, but added: “If I’d had the opportunity to convince her otherwise, I would have.”

Eastin is the ultimate administrative authority on such matters, although one legislator, state Sen. Ed Vincent (D-Inglewood), has said he might introduce legislation to restore local control to the district.

In her letter, Eastin explained that she was concerned whether board members were ready to oversee academics. She cited reports of intervention by some board members, including threats to staff, in the operation of individual schools.

“Pupil achievement is the bottom line, and before it is returned to local governance, there must be clearly demonstrated readiness on the part of the board to effectively fulfill its policymaking role,” Eastin wrote.

Eastin also said she wanted to wait to see how the district performed on the Stanford 9 basic skills exam this spring. School board members, many of whom have criticized the superintendent in harsh, personal terms, immediately criticized the decision.

Two said the Legislature should pass a law ordering a total and immediate return of local control.

“It proves what I have said all along--she has no intention of ever giving the school district back,” said board member Saul E. Lankster, a persistent Eastin critic. “She can run her slave plantation for as long as she wants.”

Charged board member Basil Kimbrew: “Delaine Eastin hates the citizens of Compton.”

In recent months, the state had begun to return local control piecemeal. Board members will receive stipends and health benefits beginning in May, and the body now has authority over facilities and community relations--but not student achievement, finances or personnel.

Last year, state officials predicted that complete control would be restored by this summer. The local board has even begun a search for its own superintendent, who is scheduled to take office in July.

But Eastin’s order suggests that the state and its appointed administrator, Randolph E. Ward--might govern the district into 2002.

“I believe that the district would benefit from additional time under the direct administration of Dr. Ward,” Eastin’s letter says.